Spring weather and poetry seem to go hand in hand with odes to flowers, the weather, and a renewed appreciation for the sun and fresh air. Since 1996, the American Academy of Poets has organized events and resources to “remind the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters.” They have also curated a wide variety of poetry resources on their website, including a list of thirty ways to celebrate National Poetry Month. A few of their ideas include:

• Sign-up for Poem-a-Day, curated this month by award-winning poet Naomi Shihab Nye, and read a poem each morning.

• Record yourself reading a poem, and share why you chose that work online using the hashtag #NationalPoetryMonth. Be sure to tag @poetsorg on Twitter and Instagram!

---

---

• Subscribe to the Poem-a-Day podcast.

• Check out a book or ebook of poetry from your local library.

---

---

• Begin your meetings or classes by reading a poem.

• Donate books of poetry to little free libraries and mutual aid networks.

• Take a walk and write a poem outside.

• Read and share poems about the environment in honor of Earth Day.

For the full list of ideas and to explore their other resources, visit http://www.poets.org. Or, stop by your local library to view their poetry collections, resources, and ideas for how to celebrate spring and poetry!

Truckee Library/Nevada County

10031 Levon Ave., Truckee. Call 530-582-7846

• All April: Dial-A-Poem – In celebration of National Poetry Month and the Sierra Poetry Festival, Nevada County Poet Laureate Kirsten Casey will be recording her own poems for callers to enjoy. Call 530-470-2766 to hear a poem!

• All April: Poet Tree – Take a poem or leave a poem on our Poet Tree!

• Tuesdays at 11 a.m.: Coloring to Zen, an adult coloring program. All materials provided.

• Wednesdays from 4 to 5 p.m.: RUFF Reading Join us for fun with the therapy animals and crafts! Read with Rufus, Simon and Gracie. In partnership with library staff, volunteers, and the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.

• Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.: Preschool Storytime; first Thursday of the month is bilingual storytime.

• April 19 from 1 to 2 p.m.: Just Books Book Club discussing “Meet Me at the Museum” by Anne Youngson.

• April 27 from 2 to 5 p.m.: Typewriter Poetry with Evelyn Schmelling. Bring your favorite word and receive a personalized poem in return!

Kings Beach Library

301 Secline Street. Call 530-546-2021

• Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m.: Preschool Storytime. Join us for rollicking fun as Miss Bree shares books, songs, rhymes and more.

• Wednesday, May 4, Novel Ideas Bookgroup will meet at the Tahoe City library to discuss “This is how it always is” by Laurie Frankel

• Stop by and grab a Take-n-Make craft. All parts provided to make a fun preschool craft. New craft every other week.

• Our creekside backyard is melted out. It’s a prime spot to do some computer work using our free WiFi or just relax near the creek.

• We have three computers for public use and offer faxing, scanning, printing, and copying.

Tahoe City Library

740 North Lake Blvd. Call 530-583-3382

• Thursdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Preschool Storytime. Join Mr. Matthew in fun songs, books, felt board stories, and fun camaraderie.

• Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friends of the Library present the Spring Book Faire! Great books at great prices. Face painting, coffee, and cupcakes!

• Free computer classes! Tahoe City Friends of the Library present on ongoing Tech Talks series. First and third Thursday of each month. First Thursday will be iPhones explained/Mac tips. Third Thursday will be a rotating lecture series on relevant topics that affect all of us. Meet at Plumas Bank conference room 215 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City.

• Thursday, April 21, from 4 to 5 p.m. “Cloud Storage. What is it and what are your options.” Plumas Band conference room.

• Wednesday, May 4, Novel Ideas Bookgroup will meet at the Tahoe City library to discuss “This is how it always is” by Laurie Frankel

• Crafts-to-go! Stop by and grab and fun preschool craft. New craft every two weeks!

• We have three computers for public use and offer Faxing, scanning, printing, and copying.

North Tahoe High School Library

The North Tahoe High School Library is participating in the Sierra Watershed Education Partnership’s Trout in the Classroom program this spring. Starting April 25, students will have the opportunity to watch Lahontan cutthroat trout grow from eggs to fry and learn more about the history of this species of fish in the Lake Tahoe/Truckee region through art, poetry, books, and more! Also, students will be able to participate in different activities in the library to celebrate National Poetry Month and Earth Day.

Incline Village Library/Washoe County

845 Alder Avenue, Incline Village. Call 775-832-4130

• Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. Baby Story Time – best for children ages 0-18 months. Registration required. Register at events.washoecountylibrary.us

• Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. Toddler Time – best for children 18 months to 3 years. Registration required. Register at events.washoecountylibrary.us

• Tuesdays at 4 p.m. Teen Tuesday – Every Tuesday there is something fun and creative going on geared towards teens. Snacks always provided! Register at events.washoecountylibrary.us

• Every Tuesday from 2 to 7 p.m. & every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Book a Librarian – Get 50 minutes of one-on-one assistance from a librarian at the Incline Village Library. Librarians can help with computers, phones and tablets, creating a resume, downloading ebooks, setting up an email, using the library catalog, and more! Register at events.washoecountylibrary.us

• Thursday, April 14, 4 p.m. Paws 2 Read. Practice your reading skills by reading to a friendly dog and get a free book when you’re finished. Register at events.washoecountylibrary.us

• Tuesday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. Inclined to Read Book Group. In celebration of National Poetry month we’ll be reading several poems. Pick up the packet of poems at the Incline Village Library. Coffee and pastries served.

• Tuesday, April 20, 4 p.m. Make & Take a paper spinner. Register at events.washoecounty.us

• Friday, April 22, 4 p.m. Celebrate Earth Day with a program hosted by Jacquie Chandler of Sustain Tahoe where you’ll build an earth shrine box and have a nature walk. Register at events.washoecounty.us.